Access Academies

As school winds down, we’re reflecting on an incredible year of exploration and opportunity for our A2C scholars — including four college visits and six career exploration days across the St. Louis region. We realized there were still two important partners we needed to thank!

A big thank you to the SLU Civil Engineering (and Ryan Wilson in the Saint Louis University: School of Education for organizing), and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Metro St. Louis for hosting our students during two outstanding career exploration days.

At the Hispanic Chamber’s Westport office, students engaged in conversations about traditional and nontraditional career pathways, entrepreneurship, and the different ways to build a successful future. At Saint Louis University, students participated in exciting hands-on STEM activities while exploring opportunities in engineering and related fields.

These experiences help students connect classroom learning to real-world careers and allow them to envision what is possible after college. Thank you again to everyone who supported our career exploration efforts this year and invested your time and knowledge into our students!

✨👏 A HUGE congratulations to the 8 Access high school seniors recently named Boniface Scholars and awarded scholarships worth up to $40,000 over their college careers!

This competitive scholarship is generously funded by the Boniface Foundation and awarded to students from Access, Hope Ignites St. Louis (formerly Boys Hope Girls Hope), Loyola Academy of St. Louis, and Marian Middle School based on academic record, participation in the graduate support program, and their positive impact on the community, among other criteria.

We are incredibly proud of the following scholars and look forward to the next chapter of their educational journeys!

• Josie Garcia-Cruz, St. Joseph's Academy
Attending Saint Louis University

• Rylie Harris, St. Joseph's Academy
Attending Marquette University

• Jai Lavington, Gibault Catholic High School
Attending Southwestern Illinois College

• Jhuleimi Leon, Notre Dame High School - St. Louis
Attending St. Louis Community College

• Rafael Leon, St. Mary's South Side Catholic High School
Attending Ranken Technical College - St. Louis

• Samuel Miklovic, St. Mary's South Side Catholic High School
Attending Saint Louis University

• Valeria Rodriguez, Cor Jesu Academy
Attending Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

• Chloe Scurlock, Lutheran North High School
Attending the University of Memphis